GOP’s Winning Strategy: Fund the Government, Not Obamacare

Bryan Baumgart – Chairman, Douglas County Republican Party

It was said it couldn’t be done. It was said it shouldn’t be done. Yet on September 20th, House Republicans set their plan in motion by passing H.R.2682 (The Defund Obamacare Act). A plan that would fully fund the federal government; sparing Americans from both a government shutdown and the impending Obamacare train wreck. In the end, Senate Democrats chose to refuse the funding and allow the government to be shut down.

Today the Republican strategy picks up steam as vulnerable Senate Democrats are placed squarely on the hot seat. After Democrats refused funding for the entire federal government, Republicans responded by passing partial funding bills on popular issues (with bi-partisan support). Senate Democrats have vowed not to negotiate and continue to kill funding for these popular issues such as veterans benefits, cancer research, pay for our National Guard and Reserves, funding for nutritional food programs for low-income women and children, disaster relief, etc.

These are certainly not winning positions for vulnerable Senate Democrats in 2014. You can bet Republicans will continue to push Democrats hard for their refusal to negotiate. Cracks have already begun to surface as an exception was made to unanimously pass the “Pay Our Military Act” to fund our active-duty military as well as civilian Defense Department employees and contractors. It was immediately signed into law by the president.

Working against the Democrat’s strategy to shut down the government is the fact that it hasn’t been particularly painful for American voters. Forbes estimates that only 13% of the government has actually shut down. In an effort to sway public sentiment, President Obama has ordered national parks and monuments barricaded, select government websites shutdown, as well as Amber Alerts and access to the open ocean. A Park Service Ranger was recently quoted as saying, “We’ve been told to make life as difficult for people as we can. It’s disgusting.” This order came from the White House. When President Obama forbade priests and chaplains from celebrating religious services on military bases, the House overrode his order by a vote of 400-1 and dared Senate Democrats to side with the president.

The plan has all but backfired on Democrats as stories surface of World War II and Vietnam War vets facing arrest for viewing their own memorials. Once again, not behavior that vulnerable Senate Democrats want to be associated with, particularly from independents who are undecided about who to blame for the shutdown. The Republicans aren’t shy to shine the spotlight on the issue either. A new website has been set up by Senator Ted Cruz’s PAC called (FundOurVets.com). The site calls for legislation to fully fund the Department of Veterans Affairs. If vulnerable Senate Democrats don’t cave and support the funding it benefits their Republican opponents in 2014. If they do cave, the Republican argument becomes: You have voted for funding for our active military and then again for the Department of Veterans Affairs, why are you holding out on funding other important issues such as opening our national parks or feeding the needy?

The Republican strategy remains focused on motivating Democrats to compromise and accept either delays or significant limits on Obamacare. In the interim, Republicans can take solace in knowing that not only has Obamacare not received the necessary additional funding for implementation, but until Democrats are willing to negotiate, some of their key issues remain unfunded such as the Environmental Protection Agency and furloughs at the National Labor Relations Board. In the end, the Republican strategy is likely to end with both beneficial compromise on Obamacare and a significant advantage heading into the 2014 election cycle.

6 comments

Hey Bryan, worry about getting republicans elected in Douglas County before getting all hot and bothered by what’s going on in DC. Have you even recruited a single candidate for county board or county office?

Someone obviously missed the DCRP Picnic. We heard from great candidates that were recruited for each legislative seat and county board. It sounds like they are all full now. Most seats had several good candidates running. It was exciting to see our candidates aren’t just names to fill a slate, but are quality candidates with excellent opportunities to win in 2014. They presented themselves well and I really enjoyed their message. I spoke with several at the picnic who said they are going through candidate training and already hired consultants. I’ve also been getting invites to fundraisers from many. Kudos to the DCRP’s candidate recruitment team. 2014 should be exciting!

By the way, what happens in DC effects us here in Omaha. I’m certainly glad we have party leaders looking out for us at all levels.

As a member of the DCRP Central Committee I can assure you that great candidates have been recruited for the county offices. At the DCRP Picnic a couple of weeks ago we heard many of them speak. I believe every legislative seat and county board is now filled, most with multiple candidates. They presented themselves well and have a great message. It is exciting to have quality candidates we can expect to win rather than just names filling a ballot. Most have already hired campaign consultants and are going through candidate training. I don’t konw about you, but I’ve been getting a lot of invites to fundraisers in the mail lately. We look to have a good head start. Kudos to the DCRP Candidate Recruitment Team.

btw…what happens in DC effects us here in Omaha as well. I’m glad we have party leadership paying attention and engaged in both.

We need the DCRP to building the party, not knocking it down. We need CREDIBLE Candidates who can raise serious money. I too am a member of the DCRP Central Committee and am very disappointed with this leadership and actions of the Chairman and his constant barrage of attacks on Republicans. It’s growing tiresome.

This is going to be an expensive election cycle. Who are the major donors to the party? I don’t see many on the list and the ones that are giving are the usual suspects. What are we doing to expand the donor base? Volunteer team? Phone bank team? Parade team?

The so-called office just sits there and hardly gets used. We should be having grow the party events every month. How many new people were at the event in August? Do we have a credible voter registration program? Instead we are fighting amongst ourselves on what candidates and elected officials to “rebuke”, etc.

The DCRP is there to grow the party, support elected officials and to get support to those who want to put their name on the ballot.

I would love to see the list of those who are running for county office. I would also love to see a complete accounting for the money received and spent, not just some gloss over. Furthermore, did we even have a treasurer’s report at the last DCRP meeting??

Spoken like a true libtard. You obviously are a lib trolling on here disguised as an establishment crony trying to make the party look bad. Otherwise you would be aware that the DCRP and NEGOP passed resolutions supporting the effort. You wouild know that they are the elected bodies that set the direction for the party. It is the responsibility of the leaders of the DCRP and NEGOP to help oversee those wishes are carried out. What is the point of electing more Republicans if they just keep voting with the Democrats to increase borrowing and spending? Why would our elected representatives stand up and rock the boat if they aren’t being held accountable? If you really are a member of the DCRP it seems to me that you are part of the problem. Thankfully we have party leaders willing to stand up and help make the change the party needs to get the country back on track. Your strategy just leads to more of the same and is exactly what the dems hope for.

As for the candidates…I was at the picnic. They are more than credible, they are already raising money, and I have a good feeling about 2014. You want to see the DCRP’s candidates, try showing up to an event. There were fundraising events in May, June, July, and August. Try showing up with the other volunteers down at the office to phone bank at election time. We have gained an incredible amount of ground in voter registration and have pulled within about 100 of the dems for the first time in years and years. The new leadership has brought in new donors and pulled the party out of deep, deep debt. If you really were an active member you would know that. Seems to me they have done their job and done it well in regard to candidate recruitment, candidate support, fundraising, volunteer coordination, and many of your other complaints. Why do I get the feeling that you either aren’t really a member or you obviously don’t bother showing up and helping out? Maybe next time skip county convention and let someone who is willing to help out take your place. If you can’t criticize yet another hike in the debt ceiling, you clearly are part of the problem.